Replace 1500 for 2500 or UpgradeHH

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eric_sfo

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I have a 2009 1500 TRX4 5.7L with no mods.
I tow a trailer and while I am within the weight class for my truck I want a little more power and little more beefed up suspension. I was considering going to a 2500 but it’s likely going to cost me about 10-12 grand between what I have and even then it'll have have more miles that I have on mine. The other option is to the beef up suspension, get some torque and horsepower but at what cost and is it worth it

I have been just trying to weigh the options of spending *** on upgrades versus just upgrading the truck itself. I’m also wanting to stay in the 4th GEN 2009 and up models if possible but looks like 2007-2008 have same diesel as 2009.

I’ve looked at Fords as well but weary of the diesels prior to 2011 is that outs them out of price range as.

Thanks for any suggestion.
 
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eric_sfo

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3.92 is my gears. I’d like to stay there simply cause 4.10 wouldn’t make huge difference and not really want much higher for daily driver.

I assume your talking 6.4 Hemi and not the older Fords. So haven’t completely written off gas engines but the power jump from 5.7 to 6.4 of approx 30 lbs to doesn’t seem worth it unless I misread the data. I’d have to go with 2014 which would be more $$$ than just doing other cheaper things to squeezes out the little extra. I could be completely wrong though. I’ll keep an outlook for those.

So dry weight of trailer is dry weight 6400, GVWR 7700, and 700 hitch weight. The rear squats even with air lift 1000s and makes the front a little loose. It really pulls ok I just want a little more I low end toque or I just want a bigger truck and need an excuse.

Thanks all.
 

crash68

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So dry weight of trailer is dry weight 6400, GVWR 7700, and 700 hitch weight. The rear squats even with air lift 1000s and makes the front a little loose. It really pulls ok I just want a little more I low end toque or I just want a bigger truck and need an excuse.
Are you using a WDH with that load? Using just airbags actually will make the front end lighter.
Here's a video proof:
As far as going to a 2500, even with the 6.4 Hemi your not picking up much in the terms of torque but you are adding almost 2K lbs in weight. If your plans include going with a larger/heavier trailer or you just want a 2500 then swapping makes sense.
I haven't drove one yet but, if the 8 speed in the new '19 2500 does what the 8 speed does for the 1500, it would be worth you while to upgrade to either. The 8 spd is a lot better trans.
 

Booner21

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I went from a 5.3 1500 silverado to a 2500 ram6.4. Night and day difference. Pulls a 6500 lb flatbed with no issue. I think unless you are pulling that travel trailer across the country a lot the 6.4 hemi will suit you fine.

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G. Mcpherson

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My Previous Truck was a 6.4 with 3.73 gears. It Pulled my 8k TT easily up mountain passes in the Northwest without really any issues.
 
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eric_sfo

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Thanks. funny enough I watched this video after I bought the air lifts. I towed the trailer before and after but didn’t notice much difference as far as drive except without the back end squatted more.
Oh and yes I have a WDH. I let the place we bought the rv put it on and I’ve made minor adjustments. I think it may be time to load it up and redo it myself. They did no measuring of any kind. They just slapped it on.

Yeah 2019 sounds great but not in the budget. So I gonna keep looking for a deal and do some more pricing for hp/torque bolt ons, maybe a tune as well.

Thanks
 

Iron Outlaw

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A benefit of a gas 2500 is they don't hold values like the diesels. When I bought my truck new I paid the same thing guys wanted for a Cummins with 100,000 miles on it.
 

Iron Outlaw

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A benefit of a gas 2500 is they don't hold values like the diesels. When I bought my truck new I paid the same thing guys wanted for a Cummins with 100,000 miles on it.
 

reek

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one thing to remember is that even though the 5.7 hemi vs 6.4 hemi torque/HP PEAK numbers are not that far apart, if you compare the dyno graphs for both engines, you'll notice the 6.4 has more 'area under the curve' for both curves. makes a difference on power delivery
 
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eric_sfo

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Good point so you’ve got me looking for used 6.4 now as well. They seem rare compared to diesel or even the 5.7 2500 though.
one thing to remember is that even though the 5.7 hemi vs 6.4 hemi torque/HP PEAK numbers are not that far apart, if you compare the dyno graphs for both engines, you'll notice the 6.4 has more 'area under the curve' for both curves. makes a difference on power delivery
M
 
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eric_sfo

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Are you using a WDH with that load? Using just airbags actually will make the front end lighter.
Here's a video proof:
As far as going to a 2500, even with the 6.4 Hemi your not picking up much in the terms of torque but you are adding almost 2K lbs in weight. If your plans include going with a larger/heavier trailer or you just want a 2500 then swapping makes sense.
I haven't drove one yet but, if the 8 speed in the new '19 2500 does what the 8 speed does for the 1500, it would be worth you while to upgrade to either. The 8 spd is a lot better trans.


So a thought. If adding bags does as the video shows how would replacing it with stiffer or progressive springs be any different? In this case wouldn’t it make the front end lighter as well.
 
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crash68

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If adding bags does as the video shows how would replacing it with stiffer or progressive springs be any different? In this case wouldn’t it make the front end lighter as well.
Same concept, helper airbags are adjustable "helper springs". If your pulling a tag along trailer, starting at about the suggested 5K lbs, you'll need to use a WDH.
When I pull the 28' cargo trailer that's loaded around 8K lbs, I'll put about 15 psi in my TLC air bags ad then adjust the WDH hitch in from there. Being the TLC air bags are larger than most, they require less air pressure than Timber Grove or Air Lift bags. The airbags alone don't level the truck off, once I engage the WDH the truck sits level and get the front axle weight at or slightly above when unloaded.
Just because the truck is level, doesn't mean the weight is where it needs to be.
 
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eric_sfo

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Same concept, helper airbags are adjustable "helper springs". If your pulling a tag along trailer, starting at about the suggested 5K lbs, you'll need to use a WDH.
When I pull the 28' cargo trailer that's loaded around 8K lbs, I'll put about 15 psi in my TLC air bags ad then adjust the WDH hitch in from there. Being the TLC air bags are larger than most, they require less air pressure than Timber Grove or Air Lift bags. The airbags alone don't level the truck off, once I engage the WDH the truck sits level and get the front axle weight at or slightly above when unloaded.
Just because the truck is level, doesn't mean the weight is where it needs to be.
Ok thanks so my thought process is on par. I need to make whatever changes I’m gonna make and reset the WDH. Thanks
 

OC455

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Ok thanks so my thought process is on par. I need to make whatever changes I’m gonna make and reset the WDH. Thanks

Up where I live there are a bunch of leftover 2500 18's that are going way less than what they were originally advertised at.

Maybe check the dealer lots for leftover/ un-sold 2500's. Might find a sweet deal.
 

TXCOMT

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Up where I live there are a bunch of leftover 2500 18's that are going way less than what they were originally advertised at.

Maybe check the dealer lots for leftover/ un-sold 2500's. Might find a sweet deal.

That's exactly what I'm doing here in North Texas (I mentioned my "1500 for a 2500" dilemma in another thread in this subforum)...I think if someone was to wheel and deal, he (or she!) could get a good deal on aging inventory.

TXCOMT
 

sixrams

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I’m with TXCOMT,
There are some screaming good deals to be had on both the 2018 2500 6.4’s & the Cummins. I recently upgraded from 2013 Z71 1500 5.3 with the towing pkg to a 2018 2500 6.4 w/ the OffRoad pkg. and paid $8.5K under list. I’ve seen better deals than that the last week or so.

The Chevy is rated to tow 10,000 lbs., but there is no way I would have ever tried that. I tow a 16’ utility trailer on a regular basis and when loaded to its max of 5,000 lbs. it pushed the Chevy’s limits. The 6.4 pulls it like it doesn’t know it’s there. HUGE difference. If you upgrade to a 2500, I don’t think you’ll be sorry, at least not when you’re towing your TT. I can’t vouch for when you’re driving unloaded in city traffic. It’s bouncy and feels blooming enormous.
 

Bldrinker

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I just went from a ‘13 1500 5.7 with 3:55 to a ‘18 2500 6.4 4:10.

My trailer is 6400 empty around 7500 loaded.

We plan on getting a much heavier trailer.

As far as power and ease of pulling not much difference. My half ton hauled our trailer easily.

The only benefit is the added stability with the bigger truck.

But as I suspect as the trailer gets heavier the benefit of the bigger truck increases.
 

TXCOMT

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I just went from a ‘13 1500 5.7 with 3:55 to a ‘18 2500 6.4 4:10.

My trailer is 6400 empty around 7500 loaded.

We plan on getting a much heavier trailer.

As far as power and ease of pulling not much difference. My half ton hauled our trailer easily.

The only benefit is the added stability with the bigger truck.

But as I suspect as the trailer gets heavier the benefit of the bigger truck increases.

Nice to know! My Reb has, of course, a 5.7 and 3.92 gears snuggled up to a factory LSD so I'm sure it'll be capable of pulling most anything I throw at it...for now! Stability and the capacity to haul more (both payload and towing) is what I'm thinking about; I think the hardest part of all this will be convincing the wife.

Appreciate all the thoughts; several angles here I hadn't thought of!

TXCOMT
 

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